While the Netanyahu government continues to revel in Trump’s Jerusalem declaration the euphoria should be kept in check. With each day that passes, the Syrian Regime draws closer to its goal in breaking the buffer zone that lies between its forces and the Israeli Golan. Arab news is reporting that the Syrian regime aided by Iran and Hezbollah has captured Manbij Farms.

The fall of Manbij Farms essentially cuts off the strategic Beit Jinn enclave from supporting rebel forces. This makes the 4km distance between the regime and Israel a far easier move as rebel forces continue to disintegrate.

Danger to Israel, Blow to Netanyahu

While it is often assumed to observers that the Assad regime would take its time before moving against Israel, the Iranians have been the real drivers in Assad’s decisions. Given that the Shiite alliance, backed by Russia is continuing to win, there is no reason to assume they will stop at the Golan border. Afterall Prime Minister Netanyahu promised that he would prevent Iran from establishing a direct land corridor between Tehran and Israel. The 4km stretch between Beit Jinn and the Golan makes the land bridge the Iranians have been pining for a done deal.

Israel has little maneuverability when facing the coming onslaught, which by all estimates is fast approaching.